Do I need paint and leather protector on a new vehicle?

Question

I just ordered a new car and the dealer offers things like paint oxidation protector and leather protector. Are these things worth the money or will simply waxing and occasionally using a leather conditioner purchased from the store suffice?

Answer 1

These packages are not good value. You can do it yourself if you read this:
http://www.guidetodetailing.com/articlenoheader.php?articleId=58

You can also look for a reputable professional detailer. They have synthetic waxes called sealants that offer the same kind of protection and similar or better leather treatment. You can count on them to do a much better job than the lot attendants at the dealer. It will also cost about half to a third of what the dealer wants.

Answer 2

Don't buy into that "package" deal, its all BS. And this comes from a guy in the biz and I use to even sell those kits to dealers. Its like a $50 buck kit they sucker you into for hundreds if not a grand.

Buy your car.....stop by your nearest Lexus dealership and pick up a bottle of their leather clearner and conditioner. Conditioner at least, this stuff is the bomb and the best on the market.

For the exterior...stop by any auto body supply store and pick youself up a bottle of paint sealant. Any name is good for most part, if you see Meguiras, 3M, ValuGard then choose those for they are the best. Apply this paint sealant just like you would a hand wax job, allow to sit as long as possible in like a garage, the longer it stays, the better the bond.

Don't wax the car until the 3rd month. You should apply at least 3 coats of wax to the entire front clip of the car to protect this region from road rash. The more layers of wax you have, the better the protection, for it will create a layer that rocks actually bounce off of. You cannot over wax a car.

I have a 2000 black Blazer that I use for my work, she has 136,000 miles...and maybe 2 rock chips on the nose...I tell you from life and career experience. Again, names I mentioned above are also the best waxes. Stear clear of caranuba for that is for older paints and will give new paint, modern paint, zero protection and it will litterally just melt off the car (the black lines u see on cars on dealers lots, caranuba). Polymer base products is what you seek, for your paint is actually a sheet of plastic at the molecular level, not paint.

Use microtowels only on the car, no cotton, no paper. Window foam is better than window liquid cleaner. Interior, best is a warm wash cloth over anything, if you want gloss or some sheen, Meguiars wipes. If you have leather, real leather, I do not recomend anything but the Lexus cream. If its pleather, then the wipes are fine (GM leather is pleather).

When you do get nicks, scratches, scuffs, or any minor damage, call up a high line dealership and ask who they use for a Touch Up paint company. Being high line, they will be the best in town for only the best get the high line lots. These guys can do just about anything shy of a body shop and collision work. They are paint experts. If they use needles or airbrush they are good, if they hold a paint brush, run Forest run!.

Good luck w/ the new car, protect her from day one and she'll look new for life.

Answer 3

If it's off the dealer lot, it probably already has these things, but of course the dealer will tell you they don't.

They charge too much, even if they do put it on for you, but since they usually do it to every vehicle when the car comes in, they won't have to do anything but hope that you will purchase the protection package. Ask for a brochure, and read the fine print on what the package warrantee covers, and you'll probably notice that for all the money they want to charge, it won't cover your paint or your leather in 99% of the cases of damage (scuffs, surface rust, chips, drying out, etc.). Paint fade(oxidation) is very rare on newer cars, at least for the first 5 years or so, and unless you live in the desert, and wash your car with sand. All newer cars have clearcoats to prevent this.

It's much cheaper to do it yourself with a polymer-type paint protectant, and there are leather protector creams you can apply yourself. Even if they did apply it in front of you, you would still have to do it yourself every few years, protectants have a short life span.

That's if you really think the dealer hasn't already applied these things to protect the car while it sits for months on the lot!

Another word of advice; NEVER use dishsoap or detergent on your car! Use plain water, or a "car wash" solution you can find in any automotive parts store.

Answer 4

Yeah you will need it, but don't buy it from a dealer, they jack the prices up really high, get it at a department store. You will save a lot of money. You need paint protector to keep your car safe from acid rain, if you live in a really big city with really bad pollution. You will be just fine with leather conditioner though, you can find it at a lot of parts stores. Its all I have ever used on my car for the past three years I have owned it and my seats still look brand new.

Answer 5

That depends.. Do you live where it snows? And if so are you really going to drive your new car in the snow or do you have a "winter beater" to drive in the winter months. Also, if you live near the beach is your car going to be in a carport, on the street or in a garage. If you are going to drive in the snow, then yes. If you live on the beach and park on the street or carport, then yes. However, I think that is very unlikely that you'll treat your new car like that so you really don't need it.

As far as the leather protector, I don't think you need that crap at all. You can go down to any auto parts store and get your own leather conditioner that is better for it anyway because it keeps the leather pliable and protects it from the sun.

Its just an up-sale that the sales person has to see if they can sucker you in to buying so it make them look good on the sales board. In short, you don't need any of it. :)

Answer 6

i have a new car i didn't;t get that you can do it your self get the was called pink from the dealer and just protector on your car(spray or if you have leather wax it on often don't let it go it won't look good after awhile)just maintain your car and give it alot of TLC you'll be fine good luck

Answer 7

Never buy the protection package, its pure dealer profit. At best its just a polymer wax which you can apply yourself, at worst some kid with a power polisher will destroy and swirl your new paint.

Answer 8

READ YOUR OWNERS MANUAL....IT WILL TELL YOU THAT YOUR MANUFACTURER OF YOUR VEHICLE DOES NOT ENDORSE OR SUGGEST ANY TYPES OF PAINT PROTECTION! (even though i sell it!)